East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival
ECCKF Gold Sponsor Sea Kayak Carolina
The East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival, April 16-18, 2010
at James Island County Park, Charleston, SC ›› official ECCKF web site
›› And don't miss our IDW/ICE training workshop one weekend earlier!
Each year the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival brings paddlers of all levels together with world-renowned instructors and equipment manufacturers offering a symposium with Master Classes, local trips, skill and gear demonstration.
Coming to the Festival? Check-out the new Festival Meetup Group which will allow for some social networking between local and visiting paddlers! Here is an great way to make some new friends before you arrive!
2010 marks the ECCKF's 20th Anniversay — Sea Kayak Carolina will be the Gold Sponsor of the event — and we're looking forward to seeing you there!
Sea Kayak Carolina was proud to be Gold Sponsor of the Festival in 2009 — it was a great gathering and symposium; we met many new friends and enjoyed everything the festival brings to Charleston. We're even more excited preparing for the 2010 festival — We've scheduled great events around the Festival, so you can make the most out of your kayaking opportunities in Charleston —
BEFORE THE FESTIVAL
Modular IDW/ICE with Tom Nickels
April 9-14, 2010
ACA Instructor Development Workshop and Certification Exam – Presented in a modular fashion — less experienced paddlers may be interested in days one and two, or the first three days which takes you through the ACA's Level 3 — and more experienced paddlers will be interested in all six days, qualifying for Open Water; Level 4.
• April 9 & 10 – Intro to Kayak L1- $250
• April 9, 10, 11, 12 – Basics of Coastal Kayaking L3 - $450
• April 9-14 – Open Water Kayaking L4 - $695
Intro to Kayak (Festival Special)
Monday, April 12, 10 am - 2 pm
Kick off your festival week the right way by learning the basics of safe kayaking. This 4-hour course is taught in a protected waterway. Its instruction includes gracefully getting in and out of the kayak; kayak, paddle and lifejacket fit; and of course basic strokes and maneuvers. This is also a great refresher course if you haven’t paddled in awhile. Sign up today and make the most of your festival experience. $65 - Kayak and equipment provided. Call (843) 225-7969 to register.
Beginners Teach & Trek (Festival Special)
Tuesday, Aprl 13, noon - 4 pm
Learn and refine skills with ACA-certified Coastal Kayaking Instructors from Sea Kayak Carolina. $65 per person includes kayak and gear. You must register for this on-water, experiential class by calling Sea Kayak Carolina at (843) 225-7969.
AFTER THE FESTIVAL
BCU 3-Star Sea Assessment with Tom Nickels
Monday & Tuesday, April 19-20, 2010
Join us Monday and Tuesday following the ECCKF for some intermediate and open water work — Instructor Tom Nickels will be assessing paddlers for their BCU 3*. Participants will also have the option of an ACA Level 3 Assessment on Monday and an ACA Level 4 Assessment on Tuesday. $140 for both days, or ACA assessment $80 per day. Contact Sea Kayak Carolina at (843) 225-7969 to register.
On-Water Kayak Navigation Course – Charleston Harbor
April 19, 2010
Starts at 8:00 am. Kayak navigation course: 2 hours in classroom, then the remainder of the day on Charleston Harbor. $60 includes waterproof chartlet of Charleston Harbor. (Includes kayak and gear if needed.) Call Sea Kayak Carolina at (843) 225-7969 to register.
So go ahead and mark you calendars for April 16-18, 2010. Make plans to attend. And keep your eyes on this space where we'll be providing updates and aditional links to help you make the most of your festival experience. In the meantime, explore - we have links to 2009 photos, Charleston area information and much more. Any questions? Don't hesitate to call on us for answers:
›› 2009 Photos
›› 2009 Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo Photos
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Check Out the (un)Official Links that will help you get the most out of the Festival.
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Sea Kayak Carolina is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 2010 East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival, and glad to provide this (un)Official Guide: We provide this on-line guide to help you navigate the Festival, Charleston, and kayaking in Charleston and other areas in coastal South Carolina. Whether you're interested in attending, and want to know more about what happens at the festival, or you know you are attending and are looking for more information about the area, we can help.
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Our sponsorship affiliates:
The P&H Cetus, Capellas, Flex 11 — Something for Everyone
Among the special opportunities presented through at the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival last year, because of Sea Kayal Carolina's relationship with P&H kayaks, guests could be one of the first in the United States to test paddle the Cetus Low Volume (known as the Cetus LV) — in the Sea Kayak Carolina compound at the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival!
Come Visit Us
For 2010 the now popular Cetus LV will be back, along with a complete line-up of composite and plastic Capellas and the new, recreational and compact Venture-branded, Flex 11. In addition, for those looking for sit-on-top paddling, you can't do better than the selections from FeelFree — from the cargo-ready fishing spec’d Moken Angler to the fast solo Move and family friendly Carona tandem; these are great kayaks and great values.
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Festival is a "Hands-On" Experience
The annual festival features a variety of on-water classes, lectures, and demonstrations directed toward the beginner as well as the more experienced paddler. In addition, over 40 exhibitors are on-hand to give folks a chance to try out the latest boats and equipment before you buy.
Tents and kayaks of the 2008 Festival.
Links 'n' More: James Island, Charleston & the
East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival, James Island —
The Official East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival Website
›› 2009 Photos
›› 2009 Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo Photos
The (un)Official Google Map to the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival
Janes Island Park and Folly Road Locations –
›› Daily Dose Coffee Shop
›› DB's Famous Cheesesteaks
›› Shopping
›› Park and Festival Locations
Local Launch Sites: Want to paddle theLowcountry while you're here? Don't miss this list of available public launches, Looking for more information? Don't forget to check out Ralph Earhart's book, Kayak Charleston, a great resource with detailed directions and descriptions of more than 50 landings and throw-ins near Charleston.
Lowcountry Paddlers Club - Local paddlers club hold informative monthy meetings and plans numerous Club Paddles, local "ShowN Go" trips, and social activities.
Charleston Sea Kayakers Meetup Group - Over 400 paddlers. A terrific way to meet local kayakers and to get out on the water!
Kayak Shops - Sea Kayak Carolina, of course!
But also take a look at the South Carolina Paddlesports Industry Association website for links to many other fine businesses across the state – retailers, tour and rental companies and more...
Past Festival Photos and Coverage:
›› Photos:
From Scott Szczepaniak — "Assorted Festival activities, including the "Cardboard Boat Race" at the 2007 East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival!"
From Scott Szczepaniak — "Some local and visiting kayakers socialize prior to the 2007 East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival!"
Places to stay:
›› Camping at the James Island County Park Cottages and campgrounds
›› Hotels - Ther are no hotels or motels on James Island - stay close here -
• Folly Beach Hotels at Kayak.com
• Charleston Visitors Bureau links for –
– Hotels
– Historic Inns
– Bed & Breakfasts
– Beach Resorts
– Beach Rentals
– Campgrounds
• More B&B links from BedandBreakfast.com
• More tourism information at Charleston.com
James Island Weather from the National Weather Service
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The staff of Sea Kayak Carolina are eager to share some Charleston Hospitality. Please feel to call with general questions about kayaking in Charleston, or general questions related to the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival. Stop by the shop to say hello, or visit our exhibit space at the Festival.
Sea Kayak Carolina — Gold Sponsor
of the 2010 East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival!